North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services

You are here: Home / Archives for Reports and Publications

Reports and Publications

Statement of the TX Forensic Science Commission Regarding “Alternate Firearms Opinion Terminology”

//  by 

Dec. 2021 statement Addressing a USDOJ document that instructs firearms examiners to avoid using terminology such as the weapon “could have fired” the bullets or cartridge cases, “consistent with” or “could not be excluded” as having fired the bullets or cartridge cases.

Statement of the TX Forensic Science Commission Regarding “Alternate Firearms Opinion Terminology”Read More

NIST Publishes Review of DNA Mixture Interpretation Methods

//  by 

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) published a draft report, DNA Mixture Interpretation: A Scientific Foundation Review, which reviews the methods forensic laboratories use to interpret evidence containing a mixture of DNA from two or more people.

NIST Publishes Review of DNA Mixture Interpretation MethodsRead More

Jan. 13, 2021 Statement of US Department of Justice on the PCAST Report

//  by 

The US DOJ published a statement on the Sept. 2016 President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) Report, Forensic Science in Criminal Courts: Ensuring Scientific Validity of Feature-Comparison Methods. The DOJ explains its disagreements with the 2016 report in the statement. In summary, the DOJ’s position is that: Traditional forensic pattern examination methods—as currently practiced—do not belong …

Jan. 13, 2021 Statement of US Department of Justice on the PCAST ReportRead More

A Simplified Guide to Trace Evidence

//  by 

Tiny fragments of physical evidence such as hairs, fibers from clothing or carpeting, or pieces of glass are examples of trace evidence, and can be transferred when two objects touch or when small particles are disbursed by an action or movement. This evidence can be used to reconstruct an event or indicate that a person …

A Simplified Guide to Trace EvidenceRead More

Fire Research: Identifying Ignitable Liquids in Debris and Providing Error Rates to Strengthen Testimony

//  by 

With funding from the NIJ, Dr. Michael Sigman and Mary Williams from University of Central Florida developed a method for analyzing fire debris samples that are highly contaminated with pyrolysis interferences. This technique provides an alternative objective method for classifying ignitable liquid residues, which is one of the only viable options for helping to progress …

Fire Research: Identifying Ignitable Liquids in Debris and Providing Error Rates to Strengthen TestimonyRead More

OSAC Registry Approved Standards

//  by 

Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Evidence (OSAC) is developing documentary standards for each forensic discipline. Standards under consideration as well as approved standards are available in the OSAC Registry.

OSAC Registry Approved StandardsRead More

American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board Documents

//  by 

The AAFS Standards Board develops documentary standards for forensics through a consensus process, involving participation by all directly and materially affected persons. Standards are being developed for each forensic discipline. The standards that have been published are available on the ASB website.

American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board DocumentsRead More

State of Michigan Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Department of Health and Human Services: Forensic Interviewing Protocol

//  by 

State of Michigan Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect and DHHS (2015). Forensic Interviewing Protocol (4th ed.) 

State of Michigan Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Department of Health and Human Services: Forensic Interviewing ProtocolRead More

Structured forensic interview protocols improve the quality and informativeness of investigative interviews with children: A review of research using the NICHD Investigative Interview Protocol

//  by 

Lamb, M., Orbach, Y., Hershkowitz , Esplin,P ., Horowitz, I. (2007 ). A structured interview protocol improves the quality and informativeness of investigative interviews with children: A review of research using the NICHD investigative interview protocol. Child Abuse and Neglect. 31, 1201 1231.

Structured forensic interview protocols improve the quality and informativeness of investigative interviews with children: A review of research using the NICHD Investigative Interview ProtocolRead More